So'oletaua Motuliki will be part of the IRL's Women and Girls' Working Group ©Vanuatu Rugby League

The International Rugby League's (IRL) Women and Girls Working Group (WGWG) has appointed So'oletaua Motuliki as its first secretary, a position she has taken up immediately.

One of two women on the Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) Board, Motuliki was introduced to the sport in 2016 when she was appointed as a women's rugby development officer for Port Vila Rugby League.

Shortly after, she was appointed as a Board member for the VRL and became the secretary general in 2019.

Motuliki is also the VRL facilitator for Port Vila Rugby League and the Domestic Competition Committee.

The WGWG advises the IRL Board on the development of women and girls rugby league.

"I am so pleased to welcome So'o as secretary," said Julia Lee, chair of the WGWG,

"The combination of her legal skills and passion for rugby league bring an added dimension to our group.

"In a very short time we have established a clear vision for the growth of the international female game.

"We have already developed high level outcomes and measurements to guide us in our work.

"The appointment supports the inclusive nature of rugby league and particularly the desire for female participation worldwide."

So'oletaua Motuliki has played her part in the development of rugby league in Vanuatu ©IRL
So'oletaua Motuliki has played her part in the development of rugby league in Vanuatu ©IRL

By profession, Motuliki is a solicitor and barrister of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Vanuatu and the High Court of the Republic of Fiji.

She has lived in Vanuatu for almost 10 years and has become an advocate for gender equality in sports and a supporter of women's rugby league.

"I am delighted to take up the secretary position," said Motuliki.

"I've had the privilege of being part of the development of rugby league in Vanuatu, with particular focus on the women and girls' game.

"Not only will I be able to take those learnings and collaborate on an international level, I am also ecstatic to be working with and learning from the women in this committee on how to further the sport not only for the women, but development as a whole.

"This is an exciting prospect."

Others in the WGWG include the head of women's rugby league for New Zealand Rugby League, Luisa Avaiki; Papua New Guinea Orchids international player Tahina Booth; general manager of the National Rugby League Women's Elite Programme, Tiffany Slater and Tiziano Franchini, the Italian women's team coach.